Lying on the waxing table the other day (like the true Middle Eastern woman that I am) had me thinking about beauty. I know, so poignant. I hadn’t had my eyebrows waxed in a long time and the results, although only the loss of a few stray hairs, made a world of difference. I like my eyes, and feeling like they were framed made me feel slightly rejuvenated as I leapt off the waxing table.
But more importantly, it was during this modern day vanity expedition that I was reminded about how easy it is to get caught up in the world around us and how important it is to remember to celebrate ones self.
For me, it’s about being reminded of the amazing qualities that we respect and love about ourselves. Whether that is something that someone else told us, or a quality (physical or otherwise) that we’ve learned to think is awesome about ourselves over time.
Essentially, people rock and it’s worth taking the time to remember that, so I’ve asked the women around me to share with me (and you all) what makes them feel like they rock. What do they like about themselves? What has someone said to them at some point that made their heart happy? NB: some who didn’t want to write something, sent me a picture that made them feel inspired or beautiful so check out the gallery above.
Here are their answers:
“My friend said to me the other day that she liked me because I never complain if something goes wrong, I just work out a solution and fix it. I was pretty happy about that. Also, I am FUN. And buy good presents for people. But the best thing about me is my awesome, incredible friends. Such strong, intelligent, talented, genuinely funny people. I would be happy to be judged by the quality of my friends.”
“Yesterday a friend told me I was inspiring. That made me feel really special.”
“OK, so you know how my job is a bit stressful at times and I have to be on call and work stupid hours etc. well, it wears you down and you can forget why you're doing it in the first place. So anyway, I was on night shift last week and during the night a young female trauma came in that was bleeding profusely. She bled all night and kept me running like crazy until the end of my shift. I left that morning a little strung out, hoping that I'd done everything right and that the patient would be ok. The next night, the Haematologist called to let me know that the trauma team was very pleased with the support from blood bank and that the patient was stable and doing well. It's nice when your hard work is recognised. It totally made me glow and gave me confidence in my ability! Plus she survived, which makes it all awesome!!”
“Someone in my office told me that it made their day when they saw me because I was always smiling and it made them smile.”
“OK I know it's a little trite but no matter how down I am, when I see a little toddler bumbling along I can't help but smile- we all start out so sweet it's nice to be reminded of that. I like that no matter how bad stuff gets, years of television sitcoms have taught me to find a funny side. And I felt really great about myself when I got an email starting with ‘Hi there lady(ies) of my life.’”
“I feel strong, empowered and independent knowing I am someone who chooses their attitude. Life can throw some shit curve balls sometimes, but I feel totally equipped to control how I respond to things I cannot change.”
“For me this is easy, it's the joy of your favourite song, the sensation it sends through your body, and the smile it brings to your face every time you hear it.”
“My work can be very intense and stressful. You feel like you are in another world and that everything external to this site is so far away. A manager from a different department said to me that I have an infectious smile that makes her want to smile and that my eyes smile as well. I couldn't help but smile when she said that because she didn't need to, and I am not one who listens to people if they compliment me as I think they are saying it because they are friends or family, but I listened to what she said....”
"I like my shoulders."
“I caught up with an old work mate for coffee the other day and while its not about looks a simple compliment such as this sometimes means more to me ‘It's so hard to feel down after seeing you, you are such a happy and uplifting person.’ That made me smile.”
“A boy once told me I rendered him speechless. That thought still makes me smile ten years on. The other thing that makes my heart sing is dancing with a group of fine, miscellaneous women from around Melbourne - nothing makes girls bond like the fear of dancing in lycra in front of strangers. Being scared but still making it through the routine with my new dance chums makes me feel like a million bucks.”
''I like my honesty. Even when every aspect of my life is clouded with
question marks and doubt, I know that the people who love me do so
with the full understanding of who I am… and that's a peaceful
thought.''
I think the most beautiful part of receiving all these images and words, is that it’s rare to hear people speak like this. I feel privileged to be let in on such intimate intricacies, so thank you to those who shared.
And, here is the little video that inspired it all. Remember, before life interrupted – YOU could, “do anything good!”